Until the temperance movement began in the mid 19th century, Americans boozed at a rate that dwarfs what we do now. Alexis de Tocqueville mentions several times what lushes Americans are in his book. And he was French!

In my undergraduate lectures, I point out that as of 1830, Americans drank on average about three modern beers' worth of alcohol every single day (according to our best estimates). Now, to put that number in perspective, modern Americans drink the equivalent of one. To put the number even more into perspective those numbers were calculated with children included. In 1830, the US had a "pre-modern" population structure, meaning there were a LOT of children as a proportion of the population. In other words, adults, on average drank a whole hell of a lot more than the equivalent of three beers a day. Basically, Americans went through life pretty well sloshed. In 1787, the numbers probably wouldn't have been much different.

So if Justices Scalia and Thomas really want to fully understand the Original Intent of the Constitution, doesn't this suggest that they should down a bottle of Makers Mark before writing their opinions?

Raoul Eaton:So if Justices Scalia and Thomas really want to fully understand the Original Intent of the Constitution, doesn't this suggest that they should down a bottle of Makers Mark before writing their opinions?

eiger:In my undergraduate lectures, I point out that as of 1830, Americans drank on average about three modern beers' worth of alcohol every single day (according to our best estimates). Now, to put that number in perspective, modern Americans drink the equivalent of one. To put the number even more into perspective those numbers were calculated with children included. In 1830, the US had a "pre-modern" population structure, meaning there were a LOT of children as a proportion of the population. In other words, adults, on average drank a whole hell of a lot more than the equivalent of three beers a day. Basically, Americans went through life pretty well sloshed. In 1787, the numbers probably wouldn't have been much different.

Didn't kids drink alcohol too? Wouldn't that have been safer than drinking the water? Or am I thinking too far back in history?

Gaseous Anomaly:eiger: In my undergraduate lectures, I point out that as of 1830, Americans drank on average about three modern beers' worth of alcohol every single day (according to our best estimates). Now, to put that number in perspective, modern Americans drink the equivalent of one. To put the number even more into perspective those numbers were calculated with children included. In 1830, the US had a "pre-modern" population structure, meaning there were a LOT of children as a proportion of the population. In other words, adults, on average drank a whole hell of a lot more than the equivalent of three beers a day. Basically, Americans went through life pretty well sloshed. In 1787, the numbers probably wouldn't have been much different.

Didn't kids drink alcohol too? Wouldn't that have been safer than drinking the water? Or am I thinking too far back in history?

Kids usually drank cider or "small beer" which were fairly low alcohol. John Adams wrote Abigail a letter telling her how much he missed hers. Not to imply that the founders weren't quite well lubricated.

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union just deleted EVERYTHING IN THE POLITICS QUEUE. WTF IS WRONG WITH YOU PEOPLE ITS FRIDAY OR APPARENTLY SATURDAY IN MY OWN TIMEZONE GET OUT AND ENJOY LIFE.

heebout...flrrrrb:We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union just deleted EVERYTHING IN THE POLITICS QUEUE. WTF IS WRONG WITH YOU PEOPLE ITS FRIDAY OR APPARENTLY SATURDAY IN MY OWN TIMEZONE GET OUT AND ENJOY LIFE.

ginandbacon:Gaseous Anomaly: eiger: In my undergraduate lectures, I point out that as of 1830, Americans drank on average about three modern beers' worth of alcohol every single day (according to our best estimates). Now, to put that number in perspective, modern Americans drink the equivalent of one. To put the number even more into perspective those numbers were calculated with children included. In 1830, the US had a "pre-modern" population structure, meaning there were a LOT of children as a proportion of the population. In other words, adults, on average drank a whole hell of a lot more than the equivalent of three beers a day. Basically, Americans went through life pretty well sloshed. In 1787, the numbers probably wouldn't have been much different.

Didn't kids drink alcohol too? Wouldn't that have been safer than drinking the water? Or am I thinking too far back in history?

Kids usually drank cider or "small beer" which were fairly low alcohol. John Adams wrote Abigail a letter telling her how much he missed hers. Not to imply that the founders weren't quite well lubricated.

"Dear esteemed colleague Mr. Adams,

All of us assembled today would like to sign on in agreement that we too miss and long to enjoy again the lovely Abigail's small ... beers.

whither_apophis:ginandbacon: Gaseous Anomaly: eiger: In my undergraduate lectures, I point out that as of 1830, Americans drank on average about three modern beers' worth of alcohol every single day (according to our best estimates). Now, to put that number in perspective, modern Americans drink the equivalent of one. To put the number even more into perspective those numbers were calculated with children included. In 1830, the US had a "pre-modern" population structure, meaning there were a LOT of children as a proportion of the population. In other words, adults, on average drank a whole hell of a lot more than the equivalent of three beers a day. Basically, Americans went through life pretty well sloshed. In 1787, the numbers probably wouldn't have been much different.

Didn't kids drink alcohol too? Wouldn't that have been safer than drinking the water? Or am I thinking too far back in history?

Kids usually drank cider or "small beer" which were fairly low alcohol. John Adams wrote Abigail a letter telling her how much he missed hers. Not to imply that the founders weren't quite well lubricated.

"Dear esteemed colleague Mr. Adams,

All of us assembled today would like to sign on in agreement that we too miss and long to enjoy again the lovely Abigail's small ... beers.

Best Princess Celestia:Donnchadha: Sybarite: Fortunately, upon more sober reflection, they carefully edited out the SHOW US YOUR TITS clause they'd added the night before.

Original wording of the Second Amendment:

"A well regulated sorority being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to show their bare tits shall not be infringed."

Given the language of the time, I believe it would have been a little different. 'Free to bare thy bosoms' and all.

Not necessarily. "Tit" is a very old word. In Old English, "titt" means nipple or breast. "Tit" was a common word in Scandanavian languages, referring originally to a small animal (e.g., those birds which are still called bushtits or titmouses) but as early as the 16th century came to refer to a girl or woman, often used in a deprecatory way synonymous with "hussy" or "minx." Curiously, though - and in this sense you're correct - the plural form was essentially unknown from its passage out of common use in the transition from Old English to Middle English, arising again only in 1928 or thereabouts.

BMulligan:Best Princess Celestia: Donnchadha: Sybarite: Fortunately, upon more sober reflection, they carefully edited out the SHOW US YOUR TITS clause they'd added the night before.

Original wording of the Second Amendment:

"A well regulated sorority being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to show their bare tits shall not be infringed."

Given the language of the time, I believe it would have been a little different. 'Free to bare thy bosoms' and all.

Not necessarily. "Tit" is a very old word. In Old English, "titt" means nipple or breast. "Tit" was a common word in Scandanavian languages, referring originally to a small animal (e.g., those birds which are still called bushtits or titmouses) but as early as the 16th century came to refer to a girl or woman, often used in a deprecatory way synonymous with "hussy" or "minx." Curiously, though - and in this sense you're correct - the plural form was essentially unknown from its passage out of common use in the transition from Old English to Middle English, arising again only in 1928 or thereabouts.

ginandbacon:BMulligan: Best Princess Celestia: Donnchadha: Sybarite: Fortunately, upon more sober reflection, they carefully edited out the SHOW US YOUR TITS clause they'd added the night before.

Original wording of the Second Amendment:

"A well regulated sorority being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to show their bare tits shall not be infringed."

Given the language of the time, I believe it would have been a little different. 'Free to bare thy bosoms' and all.

Not necessarily. "Tit" is a very old word. In Old English, "titt" means nipple or breast. "Tit" was a common word in Scandanavian languages, referring originally to a small animal (e.g., those birds which are still called bushtits or titmouses) but as early as the 16th century came to refer to a girl or woman, often used in a deprecatory way synonymous with "hussy" or "minx." Curiously, though - and in this sense you're correct - the plural form was essentially unknown from its passage out of common use in the transition from Old English to Middle English, arising again only in 1928 or thereabouts.

BMulligan:ginandbacon: BMulligan: Best Princess Celestia: Donnchadha: Sybarite: Fortunately, upon more sober reflection, they carefully edited out the SHOW US YOUR TITS clause they'd added the night before.

Original wording of the Second Amendment:

"A well regulated sorority being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to show their bare tits shall not be infringed."

Given the language of the time, I believe it would have been a little different. 'Free to bare thy bosoms' and all.

Not necessarily. "Tit" is a very old word. In Old English, "titt" means nipple or breast. "Tit" was a common word in Scandanavian languages, referring originally to a small animal (e.g., those birds which are still called bushtits or titmouses) but as early as the 16th century came to refer to a girl or woman, often used in a deprecatory way synonymous with "hussy" or "minx." Curiously, though - and in this sense you're correct - the plural form was essentially unknown from its passage out of common use in the transition from Old English to Middle English, arising again only in 1928 or thereabouts.

ginandbacon:BMulligan: ginandbacon: BMulligan: Best Princess Celestia: Donnchadha: Sybarite: Fortunately, upon more sober reflection, they carefully edited out the SHOW US YOUR TITS clause they'd added the night before.

Original wording of the Second Amendment:

"A well regulated sorority being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to show their bare tits shall not be infringed."

Given the language of the time, I believe it would have been a little different. 'Free to bare thy bosoms' and all.

Not necessarily. "Tit" is a very old word. In Old English, "titt" means nipple or breast. "Tit" was a common word in Scandanavian languages, referring originally to a small animal (e.g., those birds which are still called bushtits or titmouses) but as early as the 16th century came to refer to a girl or woman, often used in a deprecatory way synonymous with "hussy" or "minx." Curiously, though - and in this sense you're correct - the plural form was essentially unknown from its passage out of common use in the transition from Old English to Middle English, arising again only in 1928 or thereabouts.

I just got the weirdest girl boner.

Then my work here is done.

You get a gold star for exceptional internetting.

Thank you. I only hope you understand that my goal was not merely to titillate.